25.08.2026 08:00
The US administration is preparing to make a historic decision that closely affects hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals who apply for asylum to become permanent residents after entering the country with commercial or tourist visas. The new regulation, to be carried out in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, could go down in history as the largest mass visa cancellation operation in US history.
The U.S. administration is reportedly preparing to cancel the work and tourism visas of approximately 200,000 foreigners who applied for asylum long ago or are currently in the asylum process.
According to documents from the U.S. State Department obtained by the Associated Press (AP) and two officials familiar with the matter, the U.S. government plans to cancel certain B1 and B2 visas.
COVERS A 10-YEAR PERIOD
In this context, the U.S. State Department is reportedly preparing to cancel the business and tourism visas of about 200,000 foreigners issued between 2016 and 2026, whose holders have filed or are currently in the process of filing asylum claims.
NOT DEPORTATION, BUT STATUS CHANGE
Officials stated that in the event of a possible cancellation, the individuals would not be immediately deported, noting that most of those with pending asylum applications would be reclassified, but would lose their status as business or tourism travelers.
175,000 VISAS CANCELED IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS
The report stated that over the past 18 months, the U.S. State Department has canceled the visas of approximately 175,000 individuals, including those convicted or charged with various crimes ranging from drunk driving to rape and robbery, as well as those who have spoken publicly against U.S. policies, particularly in the Middle East.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott, in a statement to AP, did not provide information on the number of visas that could be canceled, but said, "We are coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security to identify and cancel the non-immigrant visas of foreigners who entered the U.S. claiming to be short-term visitors but later applied for asylum to stay here permanently."
Pigott said, "As the process will continue, the number of cancellations will remain dynamic and will be carried out gradually."
The State Department documents obtained by AP reveal that the Department has begun reviewing current B1 and B2 visa holders after receiving information on asylum applications from Citizenship and Immigration Services.
In the U.S., B1 visas are generally issued for business travel, while B2 visas are generally issued for tourism, family visits, or medical care.